Perpetual Etude - Now Is The Time (CD/LP)

 

Swedish band Perpetual Etude boasts former members of bands like Dionysus, Treasure Land, Air Raid, Nation, Stormwind etc. Musically Perpetual Etude is actually not that far from any of them (except maybe Air Raid). Opening track “I’ve Got The Power” immediately kicks off with a Strat that really sounds like Yngwie Malmsteen, but keeping in mind what Mr Malmsteen has released in the last couple of years, this sounds way more interesting. They are touching on neo-classic metal, but with a big dose of classic melodic metal/hard rock and I’d place them somewhere alongside Alkatrazz. Singer, Kristian Fyhr, is a gem with really powerful vocal cords, high pitch but with a nice raspy edge. Me like!  ”Show Me” reminds me of Graham Bonnet era Rainbow a bit, but with a bit more power under the hood. A strong touch of AOR, but without sounding sleazy. “Straight Through The Heart” starts off with some really nice guitar harmonies from the excellent shredder Magnus Mild and if Yngwie didn’t have a big dose of hybris, he would kill for a song like this. Magnus is also found in mega project Gathering Of Kings, but if I’m honest, I do prefer Perpetual Etude. Not putting GoK down, but they sometimes feel a bit scattered and unfocused while this album has a common thread and high quality all the way, both musically and performance wise. “Once We Were One” again throws in some Yngwie-souding Strat licks and it also flirts with the man musically. It does remind me quite a bit of Europe’s old “Scream Of Anger” (which was written by Marcel Jacob, hence the obvious Yngwie touch). There are similarities, yes, but it does stand on its own legs. This band’s Jens Johansson is Kaspar Dahlqvist who has previously played with prog metal band Treasure Land. On this album he sure shows his skills and there are several really nice keyboard-guitar interplays, such as in the neo-classical “Hell Fire Burn”. As if this wasn’t enough, we also find a guest appearance by former Yngwie (and many more) singer, Göran Edman in the song “Sail Away”. All in all, if you’re into classic hard rock, melodic metal with strong melodies, shredding guitar/keyboard work, solid production and some neo-classical vibes, don’t hesitate!

/Janne Stark

Year: 2021

Label: Black Lodge

Marc Vanderberg - Highway Demon (CD in tin can)

German guitarist Marc Vanderberg made his debut as late as 2015, but you clearly hear his influences were neatly picked from 80s bands and artists like Malmsteen, Europe and I do hear quite a bit of Obsession in there, especially in the excellent melodic hard rocker ”Blue Eyes”, where singer Raphael Gazal sounds quite close to Michael Vescera (but thankfully not as nasal). As you may have gathered by now, this is not an instrumental guitar album, but a full on band album. Melodic hard rock with a neo-classical touch, that definitely should appeal to fans of Yngwie, MVP, Royal Hunt, Obsession, Narnia etc. Marc is a great guitarist, highly influenced by the 80s shredders, with Strat sound, swift sweeps and everything. The songs, I must say, are way better than what his Swedish predecessor manages to come up with today (plus Marc has a way better singer). Another Swedish Yngwiesque shredder, Stefan Lindholm (Vindictiv), lends some licks and sweeps in the track "You’re Like A Poison". "Indespensable" has a more traditional hard rock feel to it, and could have been a Shakra or Gotthard semi-ballad (I just really hate those flap-flap bass drums that sounds like a guy playing two bass drums for the first time. Sorry). The production is ok, but the bass guitar is almost missing, I’m no fan of programmed drums (even though this sounds very good) and it wound need proper mastering. Still, it’s a pretty solid neo-classical metal album with kick-ass guitar playing and great vocals.
Janne Stark
Year: 2017
Country: Germany
Label: self-released